A/55/280/Add.2 108. The Special Rapporteur also recommends that the State be more aware of the legitimate claims of minorities and ethnic communities: 1999, implementation of this Accord is an absolutely fundamental precondition for any process of reconciliation and for peace. (a) To this end, it is essential that members of these communities be given access — without hindrance or discrimination, and in accordance with the constitutional principle of equality — to public-sector jobs, and especially to positions of responsibility. The Special Rapporteur recommends that positivediscrimination measures (which are recognized, moreover, under Article 29 b) of the Constitution) be taken by the Government with regard to the recruitment and promotion of members of minorities and ethnic communities, especially within the police and the army. It is also recommended that civil service entrance-examination boards and those responsible for career development should include non-Muslim members. Everything must be done to ensure that members of minorities and ethnic communities are treated as full citizens, that their concerns are properly addressed, and that they are able to enjoy all their rights and contribute towards the general interest. 109. The Special Rapporteur further recommends that efforts be made to develop dialogue between the country’s different religions — certainly among leaders of each community, but above all at the local level, and especially in urban areas, among adherents of all the various religions. Their involvement in joint religious programmes, for example, is strongly encouraged. (b) The State must also examine, with complete objectivity, the needs of minorities and ethnic communities, especially with regard to the funding of religious institutions and religious training. It must also ensure that the public funds allocated are sufficient and distributed equally among all communities (Muslim and other faiths) with a view to encouraging tolerance and non-discrimination. (c) The security of minorities and ethnic communities — especially of religious institutions — must be fully and effectively guaranteed by the State. (d) Concerning, in particular, the ethnic communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, while bearing in mind the complexity of the situation and stressing the essential contribution of the Government in the 1997 Peace Accord (for which the Prime Minister received the UNESCO peace prize), the Special Rapporteur encourages the authorities to apply this Accord fully, and as rapidly as possible. Enormous difficulties certainly do exist, such as the resettlement of Bengalis outside the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which seems to be a very difficult enterprise. However, this Accord is fundamental for the survival of the ethnic communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the preservation of their ethnic, religious, and cultural identity. As demonstrated by the incident of October 110. Finally, the Special Rapporteur encourages present initiatives aimed at establishing a national commission for human rights, while recommending that such a commission conform to the Paris principles, and that its members should include not only women, but also non-Muslims. 111. The Special Rapporteur recommends, lastly, that Bangladesh — which deserves the understanding and support of the international community — benefit from the technical cooperation and consultancy services of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. This will enable Bangladesh to receive assistance in the implementation of some of the above recommendations, especially with regard to education and to indigenous minorities and populations. 112. The Special Rapporteur believes that these recommendations are fully compatible with Government policies aimed at the development of Bangladesh, and in particular those policies concerned with the struggle against poverty, social and economic equalities, and the demarginalizing of vulnerable groups, including women. Indeed, implementation of these measures can help toward the development of Bangladesh, which is a priority objective with respect to the implementation of all human, economic, social and cultural, and civil and political rights, to be enjoyed by all, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation. 25